- No.7 Squadron: This squadron replaced their Short Stirling bombers when they transferred to pathfinder force back in May 1943. They flew their first mission on 12th July 1943 and continued in the pathfinder role until the end of the war in Europe. Ironically their last run wasn't to drop bombs but to drop food to starving civilians in the Netherlands in May 1945. They were planned to be part of the Tiger Air Force that was going to be sent to take part in the strategic bombing of Japan, and therefore they were being reequipped with the Lancaster Mk.I (FE) in August 1945.
- No.49 Squadron: In October 1942 this squadron converted to Avro Lancaster from the Avro Manchester and in that same month, they leaded the way for the No.5 Group raid on Schenider Armament and Locomotive works in Le Creusot. This squadron took part in 1943 in the first shuttle-bombing raid, departing from the United Kingdom, bombing the German northern port of Friedrichshafen and the Italian port of La Spezia, landing in allied bases in the Mediterranean and coming back to the United Kingdom. They took part also in various raids on Peenemunde against V-2 launching facilities. In 1944 they attacked the coastal gun battery at La Pernelle, on the Normandy coast and the V-1 storage sites in the caves at St. Leu d'Esserent on the river Oise, 30 milles (48,28km) north-west of Paris. In December 1944 they took part on a raid against the Baltic German Fleet stationed at Gdynia, in Poland and, in March 1945 they reduced to dust the German defences of Wesel supporting the British Commandos seizing the town. They remained active with the Avro Lancaster Mk.I until November 1949 when they replaced their Lancasters with the more advanced Avro Lincolns.
Sources:
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._7_Squadron_RAF
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._49_Squadron_RAF
No comments:
Post a Comment